Question: What
are the advantages of metal over other types of roofing?

Answer:
Prefinished metal roofing is offered in a broad palette
of attractive colors with long-life coatings that do not
support the growth of moss, mildew or fungus. Metal
panels are lightweight, yet strong enough to withstand
severe weatherósnow easily slides off the roof. Finally,
metal roofing lasts longer, conserves energy, and
requires virtually no maintenance.

Answer: Since
metal weighs only 1/3 as much as shingles, you can often
attach metal panels without tearing off your existing
shingle roof. This eliminates the cost and problems of
disposing of the old shingles. The best way to do this
is to attach 1" x 4" or 2" x 4"
furring strips at 24" o/c parallel to the eave and
ridge. Check local codes to determine if tearing off
shingles is required in your area.

Question: How do I attach metal panels?

Answer: You may
use either screws or nailsóboth color matched to the
color of your roof. Screw fasteners are preferred over
nails for superior pullout resistance and
weathertightness. Screw fasteners are designed to go
into the flat part of the panel. Nails MUST GO in the
high rib of the panel. Fasteners are typically spaced
24" o/c.

Question: Can I add insulation under the metal
panels?

Answer: Yes.
Among the types of insulation that can be used are
fan-fold foam insulation or foil-faced plastic bubble
insulation. You can save utility costs by making your
roof more energy efficient.

Question: Is metal roofing noisy when it rains?

Answer: No more
noisier than the soothing patter that you hear now. The
metal roof panels are installed over felt paper and
plywood on the outside, with a layer of sound-deadening
insulation and your drywall ceiling on the inside. These
materials help deaden the sound.

Question: How long will a metal roof last?

Answer: This
could very well by the last roof you will ever put on
your home, barn, shed or hobby shopówith life
expectancies that can easily exceed 30 years. Corrosion
resistant substrates and long-life finishes ensure
long-term performance, minimal maintenance and
life-cycle cost savings.

Question: Are any special tools required?

Answer: Metal
roofing and siding can be easily installed using
standard hand tools such as a screw gun, hammer, metal
snips, caulk gun, pliers, chalk line and tape measure.
Cutting metal panels is best accomplished with an
electric metal shear; however, panels may be easily cut
with a circular saw with a metal-cutting abrasive blade.

Question: What is the best material to use along
the ocean?

Answer: The
salt spray from the ocean is very corrosive to most
steel panels; therefore, the best solution would be to
use a painted aluminum panel in these areas.

Question: Do I need a rubber membrane underlayment
under metal roofing panels?

Answer: A
rubber membrane underlayment is always a good idea as an
additional barrier against water infiltration. You
should always use one under a valley condition or any
other detail that is likely to be difficult to seal. A
rubber underlayment is also recommended at the eave and
up to at least 24" past the exterior wall in a northern
climate to help prevent water from entering the roof due
to ice damming. It should also be used on very low
slopes and when the metal panels are not sealed at their
side laps.

Question: Why does your installation manual show
the metal wall panels held so high above the ground?
Can't I run the panels all the way down to the ground?

Answer: We show
the panels held up above the ground level to make sure
the bottom of the panels are not in constant contact
with moisture, which would accelerate corrosion. To
avoid contact with moisture, the panels should not be in
constant contact with the ground or vegetation.

Question: Will a metal roof make my house or
building more susceptible to a lightning strike?

Answer: No. A
metal roof will not make a building more susceptible to
a lightning strike. Lightning will tend to strike the
highest object in a given area, regardless of what that
object is made of. A metal roof can actually be
beneficial in the event of a lightning strike due to
being a non-combustible material.

Question: Can I use a lead pencil to mark on my
metal panels?

Answer: No.
Standard lead pencils, or those made with graphite, will
accelerate the corrosion of the metal near the mark. You
can use masking tape and mark on the tape to prevent
corrosion -- plus, masking tape is easier to see.